Irish players have traditionally played most if not their whole rugby career in Ireland. While there is some great exports like Geordan Murhpy and Trevor Brennan, for the vast majority of players they choose to stay home playing for their home province for most of their career and maybe take a quick paycheck in France for the twilight years.
It was confirmed that Cian Healy signed a new deal to stay at Leinster for a 19th season, making it likely he will become Leinster's all-time appearance maker. With that we decided to make a trip down memory lane and have a look at the Top 10 appearance makers across all Irish provinces in the professional era.
John Muldoon
28 April 2018; John Muldoon of Connacht during the Guinness PRO14 Round 21 match between Connacht and Leinster at the Sportsground in Galway. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The man well out on the top spot of our list is John Muldoon who made 327 appearances for Connacht between 2003-2018. He was an ever present in the team, averaging 22 appearances a year and not many men deserved their Pro12 title in 2016 more than the Galwegian. It's been great to see him back coaching at Connacht this year and hopefully he can take them to even higher heights from the sidelines.
Stephen Archer
18 November 2023; Stephen Archer of Munster who equalled the record number of Munster caps of 268 held by Donncha O'Callaghan after the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and DHL Stormers at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
There's a bit of space between Muldoon and Stephen Archer who is tied with the next player on the list with 280 appearances. Archer is Munster's all-time appearance maker, having made his debut in 2009 and is still going strong today. We'd reckon Archer will add a few more caps before the end of this season and could possibly reach the 300 mark if he plays next season.
Devin Toner
21 May 2022; Devin Toner of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
One of the most recognisable players on the pitch due to his height it's quite amazing that Devin Toner amassed 280 games for Leinster from 2006 to 2022. Big men like him in most sports don't traditionally have that kind of longevity but Big Dev wasn't like most men.
Cian Healy
29 March 2024; Cian Healy of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Vodacom Bulls at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
It's simply incredible that Cian Healy is still going strong for both Leinster and Ireland at the age of 36 and having played 275 games for Leinster since 2007. Leinster confirmed that he is signed on to play in his 19th season next term and he could move further up this list as he remains a regular fixture in Leinster's strongest 23.
Michael Swift
26 October 2013; Michael Swift, Connacht. Celtic League 2013/14, Round 6, Leinster v Connacht, RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Picture credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE
When Swift made the move from Leeds Tykes to play with Galwegians not many would've thought that he would have the impact on Connacht which he had. Swift made himself a household name in Galway and at the time of his retirement in 2016 he held the record for the most appearances in the Celtic League/Pro12 with 269 matches.
Donnacha O'Callaghan
5 May 2012; Donncha O'Callaghan, Munster. Celtic League, Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
A stalwart of the classic Munster teams of the 2000's O'Callaghan may be a regular face on television and radio but he'll always be known as an Irish rugby legend and a Munster icon with his 268 appearances.
Gordan D'Arcy
19 May 2012; Gordon D'Arcy, Leinster, celebrates after the game. Heineken Cup Final, Leinster v Ulster, Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, England. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
One of Wexford's finest exports, Gordan D'Arcy was a driving force behind Leinster's three Heineken Cups between 2009 to 2012. He was an ever present in the 12 jersey and that's shown in his 257 appearances in the blue of Leinster.
Denis Buckley
19 January 2024; Denis Buckley of Connacht during the Investec Champions Cup Pool 1 Round 4 match between Connacht and Bristol Bears at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Another prop on the list Roscommon's Denis Buckley is awfully unfortunate to not have a cap for Ireland. During Connacht's peak under Pat Lam there wasn't many more silky props in Ireland than Buckley. He's still going strong today and has made 247 appearances for the Westerners.
Billy Holland
26 October 2020; Billy Holland of Munster during the Guinness PRO14 match between Munster and Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Another one for Greatest 15 to not be capped by Ireland Holland was a shrewd operator on the pitch, great at the set piece and a no nonsense tackler. Munster knew they could always rely on him and his 247 games in red is testament to that.
Ronan O'Gara
27 April 2013; Ronan O'Gara, Munster. Heineken Cup Semi-Final 2012/13, ASM Clermont Auvergne v Munster, Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, France. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
To round out our list we have the man himself Ronan O'Gara. There's not much that hasn't already been said about O'Gara, he's a legend of the game both as a player and as a coach now as well. O'Gara played 240 times for Munster during their golden period in the 2000's.
We have to give a shout out to Ulster's Rob Herring who at the time of writing is only 3 games off O'Gara and could easily overtake ROG before this season is over.
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